How to turn plastic waste into diesel fuel cheaply

[Excalibur]

hello BB system reflux was definitely wrong, or rather non-existent. as you saw in the photo the column was moved at least 30 cm from the reactor and not insulated, so the condensation was to create in the first stage of the column at the bottom. I am now bringing the column in the center of the reactor and all insulated, 1 'stage will lower reflux, the other division. reluctantly try to eliminate the gap.

Sounds good. Temperature thermocouple probes at each of the fractionation column levels would be very useful for tuning purposes.

[Col]

Reflux fouling

So the reflux serves both as a wetting surface for the heavier fractions to condense upon and separate from the lighter fractions, and as a contaminant removal, like a filter, to remove free-carbon which has been carried over from boil-over. With this in mind, as you might expect, the pad of stainless steel packing which I retrieved from the gas-liquid separator I cut open was fouled with crusty carbon-like material. The pad is 200mm thick by 800mm diameter, has been difficult to clean. Think I might have to separate the mesh into individual sheets to get a proper clean. I guess if we are using something cheaper we would need to just throw it away once the reflux efficiencies decline. And if we have chosen to use rusty iron in the reflux the surface of rust would be covered by carbon and need replenishing.
Col

[piccolo chimico]

[Beyond Biodiesel]

Thanks, Excalibur, for referring to me on this. Regardless of whether a fractionation/cracking unit is operated at ambient, or increased pressure or reduced pressure. If, your samples are coming out dark, then it is most likely the presence of free-carbon due to boil-over in your retort. So, in this case, then one would want to work on improving your refluxing system.

[Excalibur]

piccolo chimico

Good on you for building something so innovative. I have very little experience with vacuum distillation however because you are getting fuel weighing 750gr per liter, the plastic must be cracking. The dark color of your fuel suggests boil-over. Because vacuum will reduce boiling point, perhaps try reducing the reactor target temperature.
BB might be able to throw some light onto the situation as his pyrolysis unit has run under vacuum since he started.

[fox32]

piccolochimico, could ypu please use english language, it is not native to us too, but this way we can understand ourselves. Odlly enough, i can understand more than 50% of what are you saying, and i never studied spanish. Good luck!

[piccolo chimico]

excalibur ti ho inviato le mie immagini sulla tua posta.guarda un po.ciao

[piccolo chimico]

[piccolo chimico]

[Excalibur]

Thanks.
The weight of your fuel is very light, nearly as light as petrol. Good usable diesel would be around 820 ~ 850 grams per liter.
I await more photos and information on the fractionation column from you.
grazie

Rendered translation from Italian:
good point excalibur, that's what I thought. as you will see from the photos I'm editing the wrong place for the fractionation column in the head with it to create the reflux and then insulate. as regards the empty keep it always lit to avoid clogging, the wax will not find it anywhere, the weight of the fuel is 1500 grams per 2 liters. insulation resembles excalibur but with wool instead of vermiculite

I try to upload photos

[piccolo chimico]

foto

provo a caricare le foto

[piccolo chimico]

[Beyond Biodiesel]

[Excalibur]

Thanks for the picture.
Where is your reflux?
Please make a schematic drawing of the fractionation column. Also weigh EXACTLY 500ml or 1000ml of the product and post the weight in grams.
Does the fuel turn to wax if cooled in a refrigerator?
How much vacuum are you using on the retort?
More pics??

excalibur hello, I am attaching my retort, however, 'the picture is not complete can not be seen with the vacuum pump and bubbler unit. thanks

[piccolo chimico]